This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy and for this occasion the 17th of March has been proclaimed a national holiday. Schools and public offices will be closed all over Italy but whether shops and restaurants close is up to the owners to decide.
There are events planned at all levels, in Florence and Tuscany and throughout Italy. In Florence, the city is organizing several initiatives to commemorate this important anniversary and at the same time involve all citizens in the celebration.
The night between March 16th and 17th will be a “Tricolor night” in honor of the white, red and green Italian flag. Many events will start at around 7 pm on Wednesday the 16th all over Florence, from special colored lighting of iconic buildings to open-air concerts.
For the occasion, all the city and state museums in Florence (including the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia) will be open until 1 am.
Three central important Florentine squares have been designated to celebrate three Italian “talents”: the beautiful Italian language, art and craftsmanship.
– In Piazza Santa Croce the Italian language will be celebrated with public readings of Dante’s Divine Comedy. At 9pm within the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce you can attend the concert by the Cherubini Conservatory.
– In Piazza Duomo, the celebration of Italian crafts starts at 7pm with stands that showcase the excellence of Florentine craftsmanship.
– Piazza della Signoria will be dedicated to Italian art. The Philharmonic Rossini will perform in front of Palazzo Vecchio starting at 8:30pm while at 10:30pm the square will host a performance by the dancers of Maggio Danza.
An occasion for a special vacation to Florence
The arrival of spring and these interesting events organized for the Unification of Italy offer a special occasion to spend a few days in Florence.
If you’re planning a short holiday, you can book a room in a hotel or bed and breakfast in Florence to enjoy all the events in town.
Besides the many activities organized for the “Unity” in Florence, Italy, there will be other interesting events all weekend long.
From March 16 to 19, the traditional Florentine festival dedicated to Ireland will be held at the Saschall Theatre of Florence. Every night you can enjoy live music, dancing, traditional Irish dishes and stands with typical products and dishes. On March 17, St. Patrick’s day, all visitors named either Patrick or Patricia will have free entrance to the event.
On March 12 in Palazzo Strozzi in the Florence center, the new exhibition “Picasso, Miró, Dalí. Angry young men: the birth of Modernity” opens. On display are more than 60 early works of the three Spanish artists arriving from across the world, from Spain, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and several private collections. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 8pm, and on Thursdays until 11pm.
From Thursday to Sunday until May 1st you can also visit the exhibition organized in the Acciaiolo Castle in Scandicci dedicated to the famous artistic Ghirlandaio family and workshop. Free guided tours to the exhibit are also organized every Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 4:30pm.
On Sunday the 20th head to Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence where you’ll find the small fair in honor of Saint Joseph. Fiesole’s main square, Piazza Mino, will host “Artisans in Piazza“, an exhibition of arts and crafts with live demonstrations from 9am to 8:30pm.
Celebrate the Unification of Italy in Florence and enjoy the last weekend before Spring!
About Cristina Romeo
Born in Florence at the end of the fabulous '70s, Cristina has always lived in the famous "cradle of the Renaissance". She's in love with her homeland, but also enjoys traveling and discovering new places. Cristina is mum to a lovely little girl, to whom she hopes to pass on all the passion and love of our precious, wonderful Tuscany.
